Paedophile Raymond Harrison Jailed for Sex Attacks on Under-13 Girls
Raymond Harrison, 69, has been found guilty of sexually abusing girls under 13 from 1979 to 1982, Carlisle Crown Court revealed. Despite denying 12 charges, including four rapes, a jury convicted him on all counts.
‘Robbed Me of My Childhood’
One victim branded Harrison a “pathetic sick creature” who “robbed me of my childhood.” She told police he threatened her to keep the abuse secret, warning “nobody was to know because it had to be our secret.”
Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone told the court Harrison groomed the girls by winning their trust with sweets and cigarettes. “They liked him. They trusted him,” she said. “He did this so he could, when alone with them, sexually touch them and they wouldn’t complain.”
Multiple Charges, Lasting Damage
- 6 counts of indecent assault
- 4 counts of rape
- 2 counts of indecency with a child
Another woman described the “harrowing” trial and the lifelong pain left by childhood abuse. “It creates an injury that can’t be mended, along with guilt and deep shame,” she said.
Harrison Denies All, But Sentence Imposed
Harrison claimed “absolutely nothing at all” happened and plans to appeal. Recorder Ciaran Rankin rejected his denials, saying, “It is quite clear on the evidence you groomed each of these girls independently and went on to sexually assault them.”
Harrison must now sign the sex offenders register for life and comply with a sexual harm prevention order.